Crosscurrents in Australian First Nations and Non-Indigenous Art

Cross-cultural interactions between Australian First Nations and non-Indigenous people have produced a range of art, from collaborative projects to 'reverse appropriation' and enigmatic toa. The book explores these interactions, highlighting the need for better collaboration between Australian institutions and First Nations people. It appeals to students and scholars of art history, Indigenous anthropology, and museum and heritage studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 11 August 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This edited collection delves into the captivating realm of art that has emerged through cross-cultural interactions between Australian First Nations and non-Indigenous people,spanning from the British invasion to the present day. With a central focus on themes of collaboration and dialogue, the book presents two engaging conversations between First Nations and non-Indigenous authors, as well as an insightful self-reflexive account by an historian who navigated the complex terrain of mediating between traditional owners and an international art auction house to repatriate art. Additionally, the collection includes in-depth studies on the intriguing phenomenon of 'reverse appropriation,' where early nineteenth-century Aboriginal carvers repurposed tourist artefacts, creating enigmatic toa. The trajectory of cross-cultural dialogue is traced from the post-war period to the vibrant landscape of 'Aboriginalism in design and the First Nations fashion industry' of today. The contextualization of transculturation, conceptualism, and collaboration within the 1980s, a pivotal decade for the growth of collaborative First Nations exhibitions, adds depth to our understanding of this artistic exchange.

In the current context of political protests in photographic portraiture and the ongoing struggle against the mining of sacred Aboriginal land, Crosscurrents in Australian First Nations and Non-Indigenous Art serves as a poignant testament to the urgent need for Australian institutions to forge stronger and more meaningful collaborations with First Nations communities. This book will captivate students and scholars of art history, Indigenous anthropology, and museum and heritage studies, offering a rich and multifaceted perspective on the dynamic interplay between cultures and artistic expression.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032257372